Pune cops on guard to deal with MNS 'rasta roko'

Anticipating major protests, city, rural, as well as highway police have prepared themselves to tackle any untoward situation and ensure that traffic flow remains unaffected

Pune city and rural police have initiated preventive action against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party leaders and workers disrupting normalcy on Tuesday. Heavy bandobast will be deployed at several important junctions in the city and highways to preclude the activists from disrupting traffic on roads to protest against the irregularities in toll collection.

Safety first: Security is being intensified at the PMPML depot in Hadapsar as well. File Pic

In his recent public rally at SP College, Raj Thackeray had given a call to party workers to stage ‘rasta roko’ at all highways on February 12. Anticipating major protests, city, rural, as well as highway police have prepared themselves to tackle any untoward situation and ensure that traffic flow remains unaffected on Wednesday. Fortunately, there is no planned VIP movement in the city today, cops said.

Deputy commissioner of police (special branch) MB Tambde said, “As instructed by us, local police station in-charges have issued notices to around 200 MNS workers till Tuesday evening under section 149 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Sensitive locations like ST and PMPML bus depots will be provided adequate security from Tuesday night, to prevent any damage to buses.”

“We have got a company each of Rapid Action Force and State Reserve Police Force, 300 home guards, and 300 personnel from the police headquarters. Every zonal DCP will be accompanied by a striking force and an executive magistrate to expedite panchanama procedures in case of vandalism incidents,” DCP Tambde said.

DCP (Traffic) Vishwas Pandhare said, “We have coordinated with rural police and highway police for possible traffic diversion plans on highways and other roads. JCB machines and cranes will be kept ready at major junctions like Hadapsar, Katraj, Kondhwa, Warje, Hinjewadi, Nigdi, Bhosari and Yerawada. Citizens can call traffic police control room on 26122000 in case they need any assistance or information.”

Superintendent of police (Highway) Dilip Bhujbal said, “We will stop the traffic at safe distances in case of any untoward incident on the roads. We have created fixed points for patrolling besides jeep and motorcycle patrolling near toll plazas.”

Services on standby

>> Ambulance services and team of doctors from Sassoon and Aundh hospitals>> Puncture squad and crane services at several locations near toll plazas and major junctions>> In case traffic is diverted from any point, citizens will be informed instantly through radio FM channels by traffic police>> Riot control vans like Vajra and Varun